Austin55 wrote:Are the existing apartments at 4805 Mckinney on google maps still there? Seems a 5 story, GFF designed project is proposed for that site by Trinsic Residential. Called "The Hudson Apartments".

Weir's Furniture is taking a first step in its plan to redevelop its prime Knox Street location.The Dallas-based retailer's outlet and small warehouse at 4510 Buena Vista St., just a block from the Weir's Furniture flagship store, will close July 8.In early July, the company's Farmers Branch outlet store at 4800 Spring Valley Road will almost triple in size.

Wow! That's a lot of news (and activity) for Cole between Knox and Oliver. Love the RH and proposed guesthouse. I think we have all suspected something similar from RH for this space for a while. The RH store will continue to elevate Knox as a top tier retail destination.

I'm not convinced on the apartment building proposed in the next block (Broadstone?). Who wants a 900 sq ft apt with no bedroom window or balcony? Hoping this gets modified. That side of Cole is currently occupied by Don Knobler owned, aged apartment buildings. What does this mean for his other holdings in the neighborhood? Is he ready to cash out? More change coming for this area?

One block over, I had another thought about Travis St. Others have questioned the delay for the new retail/apt project coming from Sarofim at Travis/Knox. Hopefully they are working a deal with Weirs to acquire the warehouse plot??? That way Sarofim can expand/enlarge their project. Just my thoughts. I remember voicing my concern that Weirs was holding out and that their space was almost unusable as a stand alone property. This could be a win win.

Last edited by LongonBigD on 13 Jul 2017 20:36, edited 1 time in total.

LongonBigD wrote:I'm not convinced on the apartment building proposed in the next block (Broadstone?). Who wants a 900 sq ft apt with no bedroom window or balcony? Hoping this gets modified.

I agree, the proposed apartment sounds a bit peculiar. Perhaps they are trying to deliver brand new apartments at a more modest price? Doubtful seeing as how all other apartments are marketing themselves as 'luxury', but, if this apartment also plans on being luxury, it'll be a hard sell without balconies or bedroom windows (in some units).

A lot of the apartments in town have the no window bedroom layout actually. Sometimes it's in historical buildings like the Butler Brothers where they have to work with the windows they have and still fit in the number of units they want without adjusting the layout of the building. Think about it if you wanted one place in your apartment without windows it would be the bedroom and/or bathroom. My roommate keeps blackout curtains on his and he keeps them closed 99% of the time. I've seen new construction do the port hole windows that allow living room window light in as well. It's not that big of a deal at all. This was a case where the writer saw something they didn't like and thought it was worth mentioning.

R1070 wrote:Perhaps that would explain Weirs vacating that building and expanding in North Dallas.

What they have said was that they will continue to have a store here but wish to replace the current outdated building. Of course replacing the building means the store would have to close during construction but so far they have been adamant about having a store on Knox as part of a larger project on the site.

R1070 wrote:Perhaps that would explain Weirs vacating that building and expanding in North Dallas.

What they have said was that they will continue to have a store here but wish to replace the current outdated building. Of course replacing the building means the store would have to close during construction but so far they have been adamant about having a store on Knox as part of a larger project on the site.

I was thinking of the warehouse building on Buena Vista being vacated/redeveloped. Weirs needs to stay on Knox. They are an institution like HP Pharmacy. The store has been too cramped for as long as I remember.

Austin55 wrote:Are the existing apartments at 4805 Mckinney on google maps still there? Seems a 5 story, GFF designed project is proposed for that site by Trinsic Residential. Called "The Hudson Apartments".

LongonBigD wrote:One block over, I had another thought about Travis St. Others have questioned the delay for the new retail/apt project coming from Sarofim at Travis/Knox. Hopefully they are working a deal with Weirs to acquire the warehouse plot??? That way Sarofim can expand/enlarge their project. Just my thoughts. I remember voicing my concern that Weirs was holding out and that their space was almost unusable as a stand alone property. This could be a win win.

Hmmmm......look at this.

As published by dallastowers.net At a recent Dallas Planning Commission meeting..."a preliminary plat, Travis-Knox Addition, was also approved for Travis Block Holding Company LLC...the plat assembles 14 lots to create a 2.25-acre tract that is bordered by Travis Street to the east, Knox Street to the north and Armstrong Avenue to the south.

As yet, there is no zoning case attached to this project, but the contact information for Travis Block Holding traces back to an executive at Sarofim Realty Advisors that specializes in multifamily development. The properties within the new plat include some surface parking and several buildings that date back to the 1930s. It’s going to be interesting to see how neighbors react to plans for this site."

If Highland Park residents had a fit over The Katy being 7 stories right along the Katy Trail, I cannot imagine the fight they will put up against the high rise in that video. I personally would love it. It would be cool if they match the brickwork/style with The Armstrong that was just built a block over:

^It almost seems like Uptown and Knox have been such a flying success that the Park Cities Nimby rally cry has finally bawled itself out. The seven story apartment on Katy Trail was resoundingly approved -- might have been approved at 10 or 12 stories -- and the benefits of having this chic shopping destination expand is tantalizing. Armstrong to McCommas!

The video is made to sell the retail space to potential tenants since it focuses on showing the access to a certain customer base and spends most of its time showing off the retail zone. Looks pretty nice but yeah I expect there to be some push back on the tower and the retail as bringing the apocalypse of parking and traffic. Not to mention the city will be doing the street redo on Knox in the coming year. Even though I believe Sarofirm agreed to that project as well since it will help with traffic.

The HP NIMBY's need to just get over it. That area is going to continue to become more dense and the only way is up. They should be happy that it is a higher end version of Uptown. The land is in the City of Dallas and and not Highland Park. I can get over the Preston Hollow NIMBY's and their push back at Preston Center even though I don't agree much more than I can get over non-residents try to dictate how another city grows.

Funny that the video has now been made private... Obviously they didn't want it getting out. Pretty awesome though! I can't imagine having this development actually built along with the proposed new Restoration Hardware. This is shaping up to be my favorite area in Dallas!

It will have underground parking, a 15' setback from the street with sidewalks and trees, and a few first floor units that have stoops opening to the street with no fence. I wish the sidewalk was wider, but it's generally good urban design compared with lots of what is being built.

I don't remember seeing these renderings of the "Room & Board" store coming to McKinney Ave (south of Knox). I found these on R&B's site. I will forgive their story beginning with "Yeehaw" as just another retailer that (incorrectly) stereotypes all Texans - at least they are bringing modern furniture. Time will tell if they try to cover a sofa in Longhorn hide. I remember when Borders Books and Music came to town, they had a chair formed from Longhorn horns and hide. Yeehaw, indeed.

One pic is from McKinney Ave elevation (one with black car). I think the second depicts another entrance from the back for those who require one of 17 reserved parking spaces.

DMN story about Trinsic's new apartment building on McKinney Ave, The Hudson. Here's a link to the story and a different rendering. This one will be literally next door to retail space to its north. I wonder if they will have ground floor retail like Knox Heights one block south. I think it would work once this and The McKenzie and The Katy (on Cole) open. That corner is already hot with Henry's Majestic and Chelsey Corner.

Ummmm, NO. Far too tall. Units too small. Four stories of parking garage...on McKinney Ave...directly across the street from The Hudson which is underground parking and ground level units? Really? I'm just gobsmacked by this proposal. Suspected those lots would be in play soon.

Why does the rendering have 1708 McKinney Ave on the facade? That address would be at McKinney at Woodall Rodgers.

Is this a case of "let's propose X and they will approve Y, cause it's better?"

Last edited by LongonBigD on 15 Sep 2017 18:28, edited 1 time in total.

This is the type of development Dallas needs to progress as a liveable urban city. Smaller units will hopefully contribute to lower rent. I have the feeling some of the complaintants have never lived in a city like Boston or London?

"For rent" is the biggest problem I have with this one, Candy's Dirt talks a little about that, too. "For Sale" is far more appropriate for what this neighborhood has become and is becoming.

Underground parking for sure, but the small units could be combined at some point. Tall is fits the neighborhood. Allowing tall-tall near Central and only tall next to Katy Trail I guess would be okay, but this skinny wedge of Dallas - between Central, Katy Trail, Cole Park, McCommmas Blvd -- well, it's for high rises.

The McKenzie is surrounded by office buildings and commercial property. It acts like an exclamation point on the north end of McKinney Ave.

This project would work so much better (sans garage) if the K-H dart station existed.

I too think most of these apartments going up around here will eventually convert to condos. As pointed out in the piece, 600-700 sq ft units will be difficult to sell except to SMU parents.

Im not so adamant about my dislike for this that I would organize a resistance at city hall. I just think this is bait trotted out to get what they really want approved (increased density than currently allowed). We shall see what the final result becomes.

Last edited by LongonBigD on 15 Sep 2017 10:12, edited 1 time in total.

That pocket from the Katy Trail over to central bound by HP to the north and Knox to the south is ripe for exactly more of this type of height and density. Take the streetcar through Knox and turn it at Hester and you have connected it all up. It is mainly the Highland Park side that is freaking out over this and who cares they can stay in their 1950's bubble. Dallas is moving on and up.

I stand by my statement. The proposed lot coverage is 78% (zoned for 60%) and 350 units (zoned for 60). This bldg is too tall for this lot under current zoning. If we want NYC style bldgs which soar straight up from the sidewalk, zone it for that.

Isn't this the biggest complaint about DT Dallas' 80's skyscrapers? They soar straight up without human scale and interaction? How is this different? It's a four story parking garage shoved out to the sidewalk. I can tolerate that on Fitzhugh (Aura) or NCX (Oliver/Central) as those are not particularly pedestrian oriented streets. This stretch of McKinney is currently very walkable (hint- a desirable feature for corp relocations).

I actively supported (Oliver/Central) at 20 stories DIRECTLY across the alley from me. I'm not height adverse for my neighborhood, but if this developer wants 14 stories, they need to buy more land.

CRE_Investor wrote:It will have underground parking, a 15' setback from the street with sidewalks and trees, and a few first floor units that have stoops opening to the street with no fence. I wish the sidewalk was wider, but it's generally good urban design compared with lots of what is being built.

THIS. The Hudson will be directly across the street.

PS. The trolley will run right in front of these and turn back south two blocks north.

I stand by my statement. The proposed lot coverage is 78% (zoned for 60%) and 350 units (zoned for 60). This bldg is too tall for this lot under current zoning. If we want NYC style bldgs which soar straight up from the sidewalk, zone it for that.

Isn't this the biggest complaint about DT Dallas' 80's skyscrapers? They soar straight up without human scale and interaction? How is this different? It's a four story parking garage shoved out to the sidewalk. I can tolerate that on Fitzhugh (Aura) or NCX (Oliver/Central) as those are not particularly pedestrian oriented streets. This stretch of McKinney is currently very walkable (hint- a desirable feature for corp relocations).

I actively supported (Oliver/Central) at 20 stories DIRECTLY across the alley from me. I'm not height adverse for my neighborhood, but if this developer wants 14 stories, they need to buy more land.

Soaring straight up and the quality of human-scale interaction have nothing to do with each other. Here's a random 30-story zero-setback tower:

Here's a random 50-story zero-setback tower:

Setback requirements and lot coverage restrictions tend to result in things like this that are less interactive with pedestrians, exactly because they have to be removed from the street:

I'm not saying that this rendering has good pedestrian-interaction as currently designed, but that has nothing to do with the lot coverage.